My sweet, adorable, perfect niece — I’m not at all biased — is at the “I’ll do it myself” stage. She doesn’t want her parents to help her do anything. My niece reminds me of the typical entrepreneur (myself included) who thinks he or she can do everything alone and do it better.
The truth is there’s no way we entrepreneurs can know everything and do everything well, but we don’t have to. There are experts nearby (virtually and in person) who are willing to share their business experience with other small business owners like us. Best of all, you can get their advice from one source: SCORE.
SCORE is a nonprofit association — it’s been around since 1964 — that provides information and support to entrepreneurs and small businesses around the country. They have 370 chapters throughout the United States and 11,200 volunteers nationwide. They’ve helped 8.4 Million Small Businesses including Vermont Teddy Bear, Vera Bradley Designs, Jelly Belly candy, and more.
SCORE offers advice from starting, managing, and growing a business, to financing and technology. They feature articles on their site from business owners around the world and offer online workshops.
The site itself is packed with information, but they also offer one-on-one help. The SCORE mentoring program matches entrepreneurs with both working and retired executives, and business owners. You can learn from retired CEOs, attorneys, business owners and other professionals who volunteer their time to help small business owners grow their businesses.
One of my favorite features on the SCORE site is the forms they offer, from business plan templates, to profit and loss forms. Why reinvent the wheel when you can get detailed forms with one click?
It’s easy to get lost in the business world, especially when you’re out there on your own. SCORE is worth checking out, and best of all, it’s free.
SCORE is wonderful! My Dad volunteered there for several years after he retired. Gave away TONS of free advice during those years! You can’t beat advice from those who have “been there, done that.”
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I’ll bet he enjoyed every minute helping others. I can’t believe how many people don’t use SCORE. It’s to true about the “been there, done that” advice. Thanks for your comment.
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Not everyone is an expert on financial matters. I prefer expert advice all the time especially when it comes to finance. SCORE is a fantastic association and i am sure their advice on starting, managing, and growing a business can be fruitful to every small business.
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A great reminder for us newer small biz owners. Love the fact they have online webinars, courses, too.
Thanks, Peggy. I like their webinars too. They’re filled with great info.
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We have a local SCORE chapter here even in my small town! And I volunteered my time giving presentations on Social Media and Linkedin. It is a great place for small businesses to get help and have resources to guide them through all kinds of business situations. Thank you for sharing this information Lisa, as I am sure there are others that will benefit from learning about SCORE.
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I always like hearing about business owners who give back. You’re undoubtedly very busy, yet you made time to share your expertise. All of us can learn from that (myself included). Thanks for your comment and for helping other business owners.
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Thanks for sharing this resource Lisa. There is a balance of what a business needs to pay for and what support it can get free. Having worked for years as both a paid and volunteer mentor, I often find that clients rarely value the free stuff as mush as what they know they will have to pay for
You’re absolutely right about the balance. It’s too bad that some people think free advice is less valuable than advice they have to pay for. People should always consider the source, not the fee.
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